Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw

After months of stewing, braising and roasting, I am so giddy to finally be ushering barbecue season into the K&B kitchen. Nothing chases away the winter blues better than a big hunk of grilled meat. Am I right?

I’ll admit that we have a bit of a spring/summer dinner “formula” around here, and if you follow me on Instagram you will no doubt recognize it: grilled meat or fish, oven-roasted veg, big ass salad. I serve up this formula at least two or three times per week, but to keep things interesting, I rotate through different marinades, veggies and salads. And on special occasions I add (*gasp*) bread.

This Napa Cabbage Slaw is a recent recruit to the salad lineup. I developed the recipe for our friends over at Belly Bootcamp (who whip moms-to-be and moms—including this one—into wicked shape), but it is SO good and healthy and fabulous in every way that I had to share it with you too!

You will have a hard time resisting *raw cabbage* (yes, cabbage) when it’s tossed with red pepper, apple, cilantro and green onion and spiked with a sweet and sour Asian-inspired vinaigrette and salty roasted peanuts. It’s not only a great side for grilled meat or fish; it makes a perfect healthy lunch or topping for a burger or pulled pork sammie. You can change up the vegetables to use whatever happens to be overstaying its welcome in your refrigerator. I recently added sliced radishes and shaved broccoli, with yummy results.

If your kiddo is a salad skeptic like mine, offer up a deconstructed version of the slaw: set aside some of the undressed veg and peanuts, and serve with a bit of the dressing for dipping.